Man to be sentenced for sexual relationship with minor

A man who continued having sex with an under-aged girl for well over a year despite knowing it was illegal will be sentenced in Masterton District Court on June 10.

Eru Michael Timoti, 27, factory worker, on Thursday pleaded guilty to sexual connection with a girl aged between 12 and 16 and was remanded on bail.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Jodie Lawrence said the girl had been 14 and 15 during the prolonged sexual episodes.

Timoti and the girl, then aged 14, had met in May, 2011, and began a friendship, with the girl initially telling Timoti she was aged 17. They began having sex at his home and the girl later admitted she was 14.

Mrs Lawrence said Timoti continued to have sex with the girl after the age admission and despite being told by her family that the girl was under-age, and despite them telling him he was breaking the law.

The family reported Timoti to police in February last year but when spoken to he denied having sex with the girl. He was warned of her age and told it was illegal for the two to have sexual intercourse.

In April last year the girl was taken to Masterton police station by family and admitted she was having sex with Timoti but did not want to make a formal complaint. Police spoke to the girl again two months later.

She again admitted the sexual encounters but insisted she did not want to make a formal complaint and in the same month Timoti refused to make any comment on the matter. He was again warned but the two continued their sexual liaison.

Last month the two ended their relationship and in a statement to police the girl told of having sex with Timoti when she was aged 14 and 15.

Judge Peter Hobbs called for a probation officers report to be made available for Timoti's sentencing.